The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Sunday said it recognises only those officially awarded the “Nobel Peace Prize,” adding that the prize is non-transferable.

This follows American President Donald Trump’s acceptance of the Nobel Prize award from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.

Ms Machado, a Venezuelan activist, on January 15, gave out her medal to Mr Trump, who had openly campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize but was not picked for the White House.

In a statement on Sunday, the Norwegian Nobel Committee clarified that Mr Trump is not officially recognised as a Nobel Prize winner because the award is non-transferable despite Mrs Machado’s gesture.

“A laureate cannot share the prize with others, nor transfer it once it has been announced. A Nobel Peace Prize can also never be revoked. The decision is final and applies for all time,” the committee said.

It added, “Even if the medal or diploma later comes into someone else’s possession, this does not alter who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.”

According to the committee, the Nobel Prize and the Laureate are inseparable. The medal and the diploma are the physical symbols confirming that an individual or organisation has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  The prize itself–the honour and recognition – remains inseparably linked to the person or organisation designated as the laureate by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

The Nobel Committee explained that “A Nobel Peace Prize laureate receives two central symbols of the prize: a gold medal and a diploma. In addition, the prize money is awarded separately. 

“Regardless of what may happen to the medal, the diploma, or the prize money, it is and remains the original laureate who is recorded in history as the recipient of the prize.”

It added, “The Norwegian Nobel Committee does not see it as their role to engage in day-to-day commentary on Peace Prize laureates or the political processes that they are engaged in. The prize is awarded on the basis of the laureate’s contributions by the time that the committee’s decision is taken.”

The committee said it does not comment on laureates’ subsequent statements, decisions, or actions. Any ongoing assessments or choices made by laureates must be understood as their own responsibility.

Mrs Machado’s decision to honour the American president with her award came weeks after the U.S. military, on the order of Mr Trump, captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and moved him to the U.S. to face trial on cocaine trafficking.

Mr Maduro, who appeared before the U.S. court pled not guilty, accusing Mr Trump of kidnapping him.